Category: Elementary News
New AD begins at Liberty Central School District
Kim Craft has joined Liberty Central School District as its athletic director, a position that was elevated to an administrative role starting in the 2024-25 school year.
Craft, an Ellenville resident, earned her bachelor’s degree from Sage College of Albany in K-12 physical education, a master’s degree in health, physical education and Recreation from Emporia State University and a Certification of Advanced Study in School Leadership from SUNY New Paltz.
Before coming to Liberty, Craft taught health and physical education for seven years at Crispell Middle School, part of the Pine Bush Central School District. She also coached basketball and softball.
She said she enjoys traveling, anything active or sports related, and spending quality time with family, friends and her dogs in her spare time.
“I am very excited to be a Liberty Redhawk,” Craft said. “I chose Liberty because I really enjoy the small school atmosphere where I will be able to get to know everyone. I also am very excited to work with the supportive and involved community that Liberty has to offer.”
She said she hopes to encourage more students to become student-athletes and ensure Liberty students are able to receive the opportunities they deserve.
New assistant principal joins LES
Liberty Elementary School welcomed a new assistant principal, Paul Voigtland, earlier this month.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics education from SUNY Cortland in 2006, his Master of Arts degree in mathematics education from SUNY Albany in 2009, and his advanced certificate of educational leadership from Long Island University in 2024.
Voigtland taught mathematics at the secondary level for 18 years before becoming an administrator. He began his teaching career in Paulding County, Georgia, before moving back to upstate New York where he taught at Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District. He then moved back to his home area and taught at Middletown City Schools before pursuing educational leadership.
He lives outside of Otisville with his wife and four children. He is passionate about educating youth and said he wants to make a difference every day in the lives of the students at Liberty.
School supplies to be provided for LES students
For the 2024-25 school year, Liberty Central School District will provide all essential school supplies for Liberty Elementary School students. Backpacks and lunch boxes will need to be purchased by the families. Families of Liberty Middle and High School students will need to provide all supplies. Middle School supply lists are available at https://www.libertyk12.org/about-us/student-supply-lists/.
LCSD superintendent advocates for funding in D.C.
Liberty Central School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan took part in The Legislative Advocacy Conference, presented by AASA and ASBO, earlier this month in Washington, D.C.
During that time, Sullivan along with other members of the School Superintendents Association, met with U.S. senators and representatives, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Marc Molinaro, to discuss key issues impacting school districts.
A focus by the group was fully funding several programs important to effectively educating all students. Modest increases to programs such as Title 4 (funding to provide enrichment and 21st century skills) and IDEA (designed to help level the education playing field for students with disabilities) have been introduced at the expense of other programs, including Title I and 2 (funding to assist low-income and at-risk students).
Superintendents also voiced their support for the CARE for Student Mental Health Act, introduced in the Senate, which would make changes to two key competitive grant programs to better support efforts to train, recruit and retain school mental health professionals and increase access to services in high-need school districts as well as promotes equitable distribution of the funds and reduces barriers to applying for these grants.
“These programs are vital to Liberty Central School District in helping us empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Dr. Sullivan said. “We encourage our federal congressional representatives to fully support our students by funding these important programs.”
LCSD stories earn NSPRA Awards
Two stories featured on the Liberty Central School District website and shared with local media recently earned an “Excellence” rating in the National School Public Relations Association’s contest.
The two stories, written by public information specialist Denielle Cazzolla, were used to highlight the district’s five-year strategic plan in action.
The first, “LHS senior uses NASA opportunities to help further her goals beyond the rainbow” focused on Jayla Edwards, who was selected for a very competitive program hosted by NASA between her junior and senior year, and then was among a select few in the program to have an additional learning experience. The story also highlighted her interests in theater, as she was playing Dorothy in the Liberty Performing Arts fall production, “The Wizard of Oz.”
The second story, “New technology brings history to life,” featured how the sixth grade social studies classes of Samantha Abplanalp are using AI to “interview” Egyptian pharaohs. Beside learning about the leaders from centuries ago, the students were able to assess the accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT, bringing 21st century skills into the classroom.
“It’s important to see the impact our district and its strategic plan are having on students and the district’s mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan. “These stories are just two of many ways our district is working to help our community see what makes Liberty a great place in which to learn, grow and thrive.”
LCSD inducts two into Wall of Fame
Two Liberty Central School District graduates whose impacts on the school and community were quite different were honored Friday, June 28, at the annual Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame ceremony in the LHS auditorium.
“Our Wall of Fame inductees embody a remarkable spectrum of personal and professional accomplishments, each contributing to the enduring legacy of the Liberty Central School District and the Liberty community at large,” said LCSD Interim Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore, who led the ceremony. “We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to two outstanding individuals joining the ranks of our esteemed honorees: Mr. Kurt Scheibe and Mr. Maurice Gerry.”
More than 100 friends and family attend the ceremony in honor of Scheibe, a 1962 graduate who was integral to the growth of Little League throughout the region, and Gerry, a 1949 LHS graduate whose advocacy went far beyond Liberty but bloomed locally.
The Wall of Fame was established in 2011 by the Board of Education to honor extraordinary alumni. Nominees are judged on exceptional accomplishments and significant contributions within their career, community or personal life.
Kurt F. Scheibe
There is no doubt that Little League wouldn’t be the same in the region had Scheibe not been passionately involved with the sport.
“Baseball was always on his mind,” his sister Mary Heinle said.
He always worked for a better baseball experience for his “boys,” she said. Serving as a Little League coach, he sought donations and sponsors, ensuring young athletes had uniforms and a pitching machine.
Among his achievements is the transformation of the White Sulphur ballfield from a swampland to what has become an integral part of the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department park.
Before the field was fixed, “I’m sure some of the boys were catching frogs in the outfield,” Heinle said.
Collaborating with neighboring town coaches, Scheibe orchestrated a summer of sports, fostering enjoyment and the development of athletic skills and sportsmanship in the players.
He ensured the WSS ballfield was immaculate, and assisted other communities such as Grahamsville in developing their sports fields. Transitioning from coaching to officiating, he uses his time and sports knowledge to referee youth games and fundraisers.
Beyond his youth-focused endeavors, he serves as the treasurer for the WSS FD, and is a member of the Liberty Elks Lodge, putting in countless hours volunteering over 60 years for both organizations.
Maurice Gerry
Although Gerry traveled far from Liberty, entering the Navy after high school and settling in San Francisco, Liberty was always in his heart.
“This ‘unicorn’ is the most dedicated man I’ve ever seen in the community,” Ron Gozza said in introducing his best friend.
The hamlet of Ferndale holds a special place in Gerry’s heart. So much so, he made it his mission to revitalize the first 10 houses—five on either side of the road—at the entrance of the community, Gozza said.
Gerry’s education began in a one-room schoolhouse on Ferndale-Loomis Road. His first teacher, Mrs. Manion, had such an impact he recently dedicated a plaque in her honor to be displayed on the schoolhouse wall, once the building is restored.
Gerry gave special thanks to the educators in his life. “In memory of my teachers, my principals, my friends, I really want to thank you for this honor,” he said.
While out West he worked with Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Actively involved in Diane Feinstein’s mayoral campaign, Gerry’s efforts to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic earned him the honor of representing Alaska in a Washington, D.C., parade for the cause.
He returned to Liberty to care for his aging parents and immersed himself in local politics, the arts and preservation. The visionary behind the Ms. Sullivan County Beauty Pageant, he championed diversity and inclusion, ensuring financial barriers did not hinder participation. Serving as town councilman for two decades, affectionately known as the “Tree Hugger,” Gerry dedicated himself to maintaining Liberty’s beauty and integrity.
At the age of 91, he assumed the role of interim councilman, a testament to his enduring commitment. Gerry actively supports humanitarian efforts locally and internationally, holding seats at O & M Museum, Liberty Arts Museum, Time and Again Museum and the Shandelee Music Festival.
“I have some comfort knowing my picture will be somewhere other than my tombstone,” Gerry said, referring to the Wall of Fame in the High School lobby, which includes plaques of all of the inductees.
During the ceremony, proclamations and certificates on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, the state Senate and Assembly, the Sullivan County Legislature and the Town of Liberty were presented to each of the inductees.
“We are thankful for the dedication of Mr. Gerry and Mr. Scheibe to the Liberty community,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “They each showed, in different ways, how one person can make a difference.”
Fourth graders honored as they say goodbye to LES
On the morning of Tuesday, June 25, Liberty Elementary School fourth graders accepted their final awards and took their final trips across the stage in the gymnasium as they participated in the Moving Up Ceremony
The event celebrated the achievements and hard work the students put in in their years at LES before they took their next steps in their academic lives—going to middle school.
Principal Robert England reminded students that what they have been learning, not just reading, writing and arithmetic, but social-emotional lessons through the Leader in Me framework, is something they would carry with them throughout their lives.
After recognizing student liaisons Amaya Burton and Henry Vogler, several awards were presented, as follows:
- Music: Band: Alec Feliciano, Alannis Flores, Ana Hernandez, Josslynn Letohic, John Matute and Caleb McNett; Orchestra: Dean Harte, Melanie Hernandez Santiago, Lilith Lynker, Anthony Philippe, Henry Vogler and Ivan Zheng; and Chorus: Joseph Geoghan, Dean Harte, Ana Hernandez and Josslynn Letohic.
- Academic Excellence: Darius Dawkins, Blake Dennison, Damaris Jadan Pangolo, Josslyn Letohic, Lilith Lynker, Caleb McNett, Tierney Meddaugh, Levi Poley, Masharib Uddin and Henry Vogler.
- Academic Achievement: Annabella Buryiak, Joel Cruz Lopez, Crisnelly D’Oleo Garcia, Parker Gissentaner, Mairely Gonzalez Manzueta, Nayeli Hernandez Soperanez, Laurel Hook, Ryleigh LaMantia, Helen Lucero Bonilla, John Matute, Marline Mott, Cailynn Pate, Anthony Philippe, Anabella Ramos, Esmeralda Santiago Sharpe and Mirey’ah Steele.
- Citizenship: Dean Harte, Ana Hernandez, Anastasia Kelly, Caleb McNett and Isabella Puente.
- NYS Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award: Amaya Burton and Tierney Meddaugh.
- NYS Comptroller’s Award: Henry Vogler.
After the awards were presented, the approximately 125 fourth-graders walked across the stage to receive their certificates of competition, signifying they have graduated from elementary school and are now considered fifth graders.
The final portion of the program was perhaps the most emotional and the most fun, for the students, staff and families—the traditional showing of the fourth grade video, produced by fourth-grade teacher David Philips. As the students sang along with many of the tunes, a video screen displayed photos and videos from their time at LES. The video is something the students will look forward to seeing again in eight years during the senior walk.
As the lights came back up, families in the balcony were invited to the floor to congratulate their children on a job well done in elementary school.
A recording of the ceremony can be found at https://events.locallive.tv/events/149092.
More photos can be on the LCSD Facebook and LCSD Instagram pages.
Superintendent offers update on Strategic Plan
Dear Liberty,
As we close the year, I want to offer an update on the progress of our Five-Year Strategic Plan. The plan was implemented in the 2022-23 school year, and as with any effective plan, it must be reviewed regularly and adjusted accordingly.
In February 2024, a team of administrators, faculty and staff reviewed the progress we have made and set a plan on how to continue moving forward.
I’d like to highlight some accomplishments we have made in each of our four pillars.
- The first pillar is coherence, which is a shared understanding of our purpose and work. We have made progress in reviewing the data to help us improve our practices. Most importantly, we have created a Professional Learning Plan that gives us a roadmap to better align our professional learning with the Strategic Plan.
- The next pillar is curriculum, what we teach our students. It is important for students to have a consistent method of learning, which is why we are aligning curriculum across grades and subject matters. That helps students have a clear understanding of the learning goals, which will build year to year. ELA and reading is aligned kindergarten through eighth grades, and Social Studies and Science curriculums are aligned K-6. Math curriculum is aligned K-6, and the district is expanding the math curriculum to K-7 in 2024-25, with the introduction of algebra for all eighth graders. Work will also continue on implementing full curriculum mapping, setting mastery standards and entry and exit criteria for grade levels, expanding enrichment opportunities and more.
- The third pillar is MTSS, or Multi-Tiered System of Supports. MTSS addresses academic as well as social-emotional needs so we can best help our students learn. We continue to have regular K-8 academic screener sessions for math and reading and have implemented the Leader in Me framework for all students. We have also adjusted our monitoring and intervention programs to help our students succeed. Social-emotional learning is a very important part in ensuring a well-rounded education for our students. That is why we implemented the DESSA SEL screener and expanded the use of an SEL screener for all grades. We will continue to use the data to better align MTSS across buildings.
- Culture is the final pillar of our Strategic Plan. These are the values that impact how our school operates. The mission, vision and beliefs of our district are at the heart of what we do. We have continued to communicate these internally and externally at meetings and forums. We also seek input through surveys and focus groups. We also know it is important that the school is part of the community, which is why we were happy to continue to host our All Things Liberty event in the fall and were pleased to re-introduce the Winter Festival in February.
There are three years left of our Strategic Plan. I am happy with the progress we have seen so far, but we know we still have much work to do. To read more about our Strategic Plan, as well as see updates, visit the Strategic Plan page on our website.
I thank you for all of the support you have shown. If you have any questions, please email questions@libertyk12.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent
A message from the superintendent about ParentSquare
Dear Liberty Families,
We are excited to announce we have adopted a new form of school-to-home communication at Liberty Central School District called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with LCSD.
Invitations to sign up for Parent Square will be sent shortly to all parent or guardian email addresses on file with the district. If you do not receive the invitation, visit www.parentsquare.com/signin and register your account using the phone number or email address on file with the district.
View this video on how to get started. The video is available in Spanish here.
All district and school, grade level and classroom information will be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).
Have questions? Click the question mark in the top right corner of the desktop version of Parent Square or the Help tab on the app (tap the triple bar icon at the top left) to find answers to most of your questions.
More information will be provided during open house nights in each of the buildings.
We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent
A message from the Superintendent and Lemonade management on parking at LES
Dear Liberty families,
When picking up or dropping off students at Liberty Elementary School, the Lemonade Grocery market parking lot is not to be used. It is also not to be used during special events.
Using the Lemonade parking lot creates a safety hazard for the children and families alike.
Lemonade has expressed interest in allowing the district to use the parking lot at no cost, with the condition that the district provides insurance. However, after speaking with our insurance company, that was not possible.
Lemonade has indicated they will do their best to warn noncustomers who park in their lot and ask them to move before towing or booting cars.
With this change, here’s how families can pick up and drop off their child moving forward:
- At morning arrival, join the car Line from 7:35 to 8 a.m. Stop at the child’s designated entrance and remain in your car. We’ll do the rest!
- Avoid the morning rush by dropping off children early between the 7:15 and 7:35 a.m. each morning.
- At afternoon dismissal, please drive onto campus beginning at 2:40 p.m. for pick up.
- Free parking is available at the two nearby municipal lots on School Street. Limited parking can also be found on Main Street.
- Many Liberty families are eligible for bus transportation, which is among the safest and most reliable ways to get to school. For more information, call the district office at 845-292-6171.
During special events, visitors should enter the main parking lot and attendants will guide drivers to their parking location.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to keep our children safe!
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
LCSD Superintendent
and
Lemonade Management